"If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool is bigger than any individual," said Rodgers.

The Uruguayan biter will move to the Nou Camp on a five-year deal worth £200,000-a-week, but will not be eligible to make his debut for them until late October - because of his four-month ban for sinking his teeth into Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

Under the strict terms of Suarez's FIFA suspension, Barca will not be able to unveil him at the Nou Camp next Wednesday. He will be formally introduced at a club building adjacent to the stadium instead.

Despite Suarez's worldwide ban for the third biting incident of his career, Barca decided to break their transfer record to land the Reds' reigning PFA and FWA Player of the Year.

Hitman: Suarez scored 31 times for Liverpool last season (Image: Getty)

Rodgers claimed he tried everything to keep the 27-year-old at Anfield:

"I hope our supporters continue to dream and believe that we're moving forward and with continued improvement and progression, together we will bring the success we all crave and deserve.

"We are focused on the future, as we strive to continue with the progress we have made and build on last season's excellent Premier League campaign.

"I'm confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts - domestically and in the greatest club competition in the world, the Champions League.

"The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try tokeep Luis at Liverpool. It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges."

Suarez, who scored 31 goals in 33 appearances last season, urged Liverpool fans to understand his reasons for leaving, claiming the chance to play in Spain was too much for him and his family to resist.

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain," said Suarez. "Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city.

"But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters.

"I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition.